Galanthus snow-white herbaceous plants for open ground. Snowdrops (galanthus) are the first spring flowers. Galanthus snowy or snow-white Galanthus nivalis

Russian - snowdrop, English - Snowdrop - snow earring, of course, indicate the early period of flowering of this plant, “literally from under the snow.” The English call the snowdrop a snow drop or a snow earring, and the Germans call it a snow bell. For the French and Italians it is a snow driller, for the Czechs it is a snowflake. And the Bulgarians, because the plant defies winter, call it kokiche, i.e. bully. These plants love spring so much that sometimes its faint breath is enough for their petals to open and shine with happiness.

The Latin name “Galanthus” presumably consists of Greek roots, translated meaning “milk flower”. This name probably reflects the delicate snow-white color of the snowdrop. Galanthus is the first to bloom, sometimes already in the February thaw, with milky white bells of flowers. In different climatic zones European snowdrops bloom in different time, from December-January to March-April. In Western Europe, these beautiful flowers usually bloom in late January - early February.

Galanthus is often confused with spring whiteflower. They belong to the same family and have very similar flowers, but the white flower blooms later, some of its forms bloom only in June and even in autumn. Unlike galanthus, it loves moist, nutritious soils with a predominance of nitrogen.

Snowdrops are unpretentious and easily propagated by seeds and bulbs. Replanted after 5-6 years. The bulbs are medium-sized, up to 3 cm in diameter, round, fleshy, with yellowish outer scales. The leaves are gray-green, narrow-linear, saber-shaped or belt-shaped, 1-4 cm wide. The flowers are drooping, bell-shaped, 2-3 cm long. In spring they need sufficient moisture. Snowdrops spend most of the year as bulbs underground. In autumn, the bulbs “wake up” and begin to grow roots. At the end of winter or spring, they begin to grow and bloom. After flowering ends and before the leaves die, the bulb stores nutrients and gains strength.

Snowdrops: photo

Main types and varieties of galanthus (snowdrop)

Snowdrops (galanthus), as well as scylla or muscari. It is better to plant in groups. Single flowers do not look so impressive. This plant is great for borders. Thanks to their small root system, galanthus can be grown even on a tiny piece of land, so they are suitable for all kinds of alpine hills and rocky gardens.

Snowdrops are planted under trees as an early ground cover. Galanthus also look organic in coniferous evergreen mixborders. In such plantings they are especially good because they are successfully combined with other spring perennials and annual plants, the growing season of which begins after the snowdrops bloom.

Location and landing. Galanthus prefer open places, but can also grow under trees. Their growing season is early spring when trees and shrubs are still without leaves. In natural conditions, snowdrops are usually found in sunny forest clearings, where the snow melts earlier than in other places.

They are planted in groups of 10-20 plants at any time when the bulbs are at rest. This time is from mid-June to November. The planting depth is approximately one and a half to two times the height of the bulb. If planted too deeply, new bulbs are large and grow closer to the surface, and if planted too shallow, many bulbs are formed.

The soil. Snowdrops are planted in a variety of soils, but they grow poorly in heavy clay soils. Snowdrops do not like stagnant water in the area.

Wintering. Snowdrops are winter-hardy plants. They are well preserved in the soil even in very frosty winters.

Reproduction. Galanthus reproduce by baby bulbs and self-sowing. Usually two or three new bulbs are formed over the summer. To keep them large and healthy, the leaves do not need to be trimmed until they dry out on their own. Periodically (every 3-5 years) the plantings are renewed, the overgrown families are dug up, the children are separated and the bulbs are planted.

Buying bulbs. Like other bulbous plants, a high-quality galanthus bulb is hard, smooth, and has no visible damage. But unlike hyacinths. Snowdrop bulbs do not tolerate prolonged exposure to air. They should not be stored for more than two months.

Snowdrops can rarely be bought in stores; they are usually purchased from amateur gardeners. They are usually sold during the flowering period, when they look beautiful. This is the worst time to transplant. But since the plants are unpretentious, most often they survive and bloom next year.

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Etymology

In Latin, the name of the plant means “milk flowers”, in English - “drops of snow”, “snow drops” or “snow earrings”, in German - “snow bells”, in French - “snow drills”, in Czech - “snowflakes” and in Russian - “snowdrops”.

Types and varieties of snowdrops

The genus includes about 20 species, common in the nature of Central and Southern Europe, Crimea, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. The largest number of snowdrops, about 16 species, are found in the Caucasus.

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), several other species similar to it are quite widespread appearance and requirements for growing conditions and care.

The snowdrop has a real bulb - a round fleshy cluster, 1-3 cm in diameter, with brown or golden outer scales. The leaves are blue-green, narrow-linear, saber-shaped or belt-shaped, 1-4 cm wide. The flowers are drooping, bell-shaped, 2-3 cm long.

Snowdrop, white galanthus (Galanthus nivalis)

Homeland - meadows and forests of Europe.

In Central Russia the most sustainable appearance kind.

"Flore Pleno"

It reproduces vegetatively and by seeds, and self-sows.

Varieties of snowdrop white:

There are about 500 varieties in the snowdrop genus, most of which are white snowdrop varieties. Among them there are plants with simple, semi-double, and double flowers. Varieties also differ in the time and duration of flowering and other less obvious characteristics.

Poculiformis Group - the internal and external segments of a goblet flower are almost the same length and have no spots, for example, the variety "Sandhill Gate". Sandersis Group - not only the spots on the “petals” are yellowish, but also the leaves, for example the varieties “Flavescens”, “Lutescens”, “Sandersii”, “Ray Cobb”, “Savin Gold” (more capricious in cultivation). Scharlockii "elongated leaf involucres are divided in half in the center, reminiscent of donkey ears. Viridescens", or "green snowdrop" - pale green spots cover about two-thirds of the outer "petals" of the variety; Snow White Gnome" — low-growing variety, up to 5 cm tall in bloom.

Snowdrop varieties with double flowers:

Terry varieties differ from simple ones in that they have 3-5 outer tepals and 12-21 inner ones.

Flore Pleno "has been known since 1703. Its internal segments are of different lengths,

Snowdrop Elweza, Galanthus Elwesii (Galanthus elwesii)

Homeland - mountain meadows, forests of the South of Eastern Europe.

Grows up to 25 cm in height. The leaves are lanceolate, 1.5-3 cm wide, glaucous (in the buds, one leaf covers the other). The species can be distinguished by its belt-shaped, grayish leaves with a hood at the top. The flowers are white, large (up to 4-5 cm in length), with green spots on the inner tepals, spherical, fragrant. It blooms earlier than the white snowdrop, flowering lasts 3-4 weeks.

It is often cultivated, mainly in Western Europe. Has many garden varieties. The species is stable in culture.

Popular varieties of snowdrop Elveza:

"Comet" is a variety with a large, well-built flower on a long arched peduncle; green markings on the outer segments vary significantly; Two Eyes" is a variety with two small spots at the base of each internal segment and a heart-shaped mark at the apex; "Kite" is a variety with two flowers on a divided peduncle.

galanthus, or snowdrop on Zeleno.ru - galanthus, or snowdrop (galanthus)

Name: translated from ancient Greek means milky-flowered, given for the white color of the flowers. Representatives of the genus are named “Snowdrop” for their very early flowering, which occurs literally from under the snow.

Description: The genus includes about 18 species, common in the nature of Central and Southern Europe, Crimea, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Short bulbous plants with two linear leaves 10-20 cm long, which appear simultaneously with peduncles. The flowers are solitary, bell-shaped, drooping. White perianth of six leaflets: the outer three are elliptical or obovate, the inner ones are wedge-shaped, with a green spot at the apex, with or without a notch. The fruit is a capsule. The bulbs are ovoid or conical. The outer scales are light brown or brown.

Snow galanthus - G. nivalis L.

It grows wild in the south of European Russia, the Caucasus, Europe and the Mediterranean.

A bulbous, early spring plant with flat dark green or bluish leaves up to 10 cm long. The bulb is round, up to 2 cm in diameter. Peduncles up to 12 cm tall. The flowers are solitary, up to 3 cm in diameter, with a pleasant aroma, drooping, white with a green spot at the ends of the tepals. The outer tepals are oblong, the inner ones are wedge-shaped, smaller than the outer ones. Blooms earlier than all snowdrops, in late March - early

April about 30 days. In culture since 1500.

It has more than 50 varieties and garden forms, including terry ( var. flore-pleno hort.) - peduncles up to 10 cm tall, perianth of 12 leaflets, larger, internal lobes with a yellow-green spot. It blooms in April for 13-17 days, does not bear fruit. Overwinters under light cover.

It grows wild in the Caucasus and Northern Iran.

A plant with flat, linear, bluish leaves, up to 30 cm long. Peduncles up to 10 cm tall. The flowers are white, 2-2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter, with a pleasant aroma. Inner perianth lobes with a green spot at the end of the petals. It blooms from the beginning of April for two weeks. Fruits irregularly. IN middle lane winters under light cover. In culture since 1887.

Grows wildly in the forests of Crimea and Moldova.

One of the largest representatives of the genus. The leaves at the beginning of flowering have a bluish bloom, later they become shiny and dark green. Peduncles up to 16 cm tall. Flowers are 2.5-3 cm long and up to 4 cm in diameter. Blooms in March for 20-25 days. The bulbs are ovoid up to 3 cm in diameter. In culture since 1592. Has more than ten garden forms.

It grows naturally in Eastern and Western Transcaucasia.

Galanthus Elvesa - G. EIwesii

Originally from Asia Minor.

This is a tall species, the flower stalks of which can reach a height of 15-25 cm. The leaves of this species are wide, sometimes up to 2 cm, and bluish-green in color. The flowers are white, large, spherical. It blooms earlier than the snowdrop, in February.

Location: grow under the canopy of trees and shrubs, in partial shade, but prefer open places. Winter-hardy.

The soil: They develop best in sufficiently moist, loose, well-drained nutritious soil after adding humus or compost. Snowdrops cannot tolerate high, dry or low areas with stagnant water. Heavy clay soils require adding sand.

Care: Leaves should not be cut off until they are completely dead.

Reproduction: Plants reproduce vegetatively, forming one or two bulbs over the summer. The folded snowdrop reproduces especially actively: it produces 3-4 bulbs. Snowdrops are replanted after the leaves die off in late August - early September. Plants transplanted in the spring during flowering almost always die. The planting depth of the bulbs is 8 cm, replanting should be done after five to six years, but snowdrops grow well in one place without replanting or more long time.

Reproduction is also possible by seeds. Sowing is carried out directly into the ground immediately after harvesting, and the plants bloom in the 4th - 5th year. Planted on lawns under a canopy of trees and shrubs, they reproduce by self-seeding.

Usage: for a variety of floral designs. Snowdrops are very decorative in large groups, not only in rock gardens, but also in the form of “carpets” under trees and shrubs in light partial shade, as well as in the form of white lawns among the lawn. Miniature bouquets of snowdrops can stand in water for a long time, and with a simple arrangement in crystal vases they look attractive and expressive.

Partners: These crops are recommended for creating early flowering groups in the shade in combination with scillas, corydalis, lungwort, and primrose. Snowdrops can also be used in mixed plantings with medium-sized and tall late-growing perennials: ferns, hosta, peonies.

material partially borrowed from the site

At the end of winter, when the sun begins to heat up more intensely, the sun's rays begin to melt the ice. Then from under the snow, towards the warmth, the first flowering plants- snowdrops or galanthus. There are about 18 species of these low frost-resistant plants. They can be found in ravines, humid forest belts, forest clearings, the coast of the Black, Caspian and Mediterranean seas, Asia, and the CIS countries. Most species are found in the Caucasus. They prefer to germinate in open ground, always moist and loose. The herbaceous plant galanthus easily tolerates frost, even cold, so it is excellent for open ground. The peak of flowering occurs at the end of winter - the beginning of spring, and ends at the beginning of summer, when the air warms up greatly and the soil becomes less saturated with moisture.

Galanthus is a perennial bulbous plant from the Amaryllis family. The flowers have a weak aroma or no scent at all. Depending on the type of galanthus, the shape and color of the leaves can be linear, flat, narrow, saber-shaped, 1-4 cm wide and 10-20 cm long, at the beginning of flowering - with a bluish coating, later - shiny dark green. The flowers are solitary, small, up to 2.5-3 cm in diameter, drooping, drop-shaped and bell-shaped. After the flowering season, a fruit is formed - a capsule with seeds.

The value of the plant lies in the fact that Galanthus begins to bloom immediately - the growth of leaves and shoots with a bud occurs simultaneously, the height of the plant reaches 15-20 cm.

In snowdrops, the main mother bulb is fleshy, 1-3 cm in diameter, round shape, with brown or yellow stripes, the root system is weak.

The most common is Galanthus Snow or Snow White snowdrop, which has more than 500 varieties. Its difference from other species lies in the shape of the leaves, size and type of flower. The latter is snow-white, can be double or semi-double. The difference also affects the time and duration of flowering.

Galanthus Snowy in natural environment found in the Caucasus, European Russia, and the Mediterranean. The flowers have a delicate, subtle aroma. The value of the plant is that of all types of galanthus it begins to bloom earlier than anyone else, in late March - early April. Flowering duration is about 1 month. Plant height is no more than 10-15 cm.

There are many legends about snowdrops:

• During the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise, God wanted to show that he was always with them and turned the snow on the ground into snowdrops. Eve, seeing the flowers, gained hope for the future, knowing that God had not abandoned them.
• IN Slavic mythology There is a legend that one day Winter did not want to leave. There was snow everywhere, rare rays of the sun broke through from under the dark clouds. All the plants were afraid of Winter - only the brave Snowdrop rose from under the snow. Seeing this, the Sun warmed the earth, dispersed the clouds and Spring began.
• The legend about why the snowdrop loves snow and does not freeze. During the carnival, the goddess Flora gave costumes to all the trees and plants, some with beautiful flowers, others with ornate leaves, and gave Snowdrop a white cloak. Snow also wanted to come to the party, but he was not invited. Snowdrop felt sorry for him. Then he took Snow with him, hiding it under his cloak. So they were together all the time and then never parted.
• Many people believe that snowdrops growing around the house can protect the home from evil spirits and troubles.

Main types and varieties of snowdrop galanthus

Information about the galanthus flower dates back to the first millennium AD. He is widely known all over the world. In Latin, galanthus means “milk flowers.” In Russia, galanthus is called “snowdrop”, in England – “ice drop” or “snow earrings”, in Germany – “snow bell”, in France – “snow drill”, in the Czech Republic – “snowflake”, in Bulgaria, because With his stubborn disposition to defy winter and snow, he was nicknamed “the bully.”

To create alpine slides, flower beds and beautiful lawns most often gardeners resort to using all possible varieties species and varieties of galanthus.

Snowdrop or white galanthus (Galanthus nivalis)

Galanthus Snow White Galanthus nivalis

The species Galanthus Snow White has many hybrid forms, differing in leaf shape and size, time and duration of flowering. Places of germination - moist, semi-open shady forests of Central and Western Europe, the Caucasus. The perennial bulbous plant often reproduces by self-sowing seeds. When germinating from seeds, the plant begins to bloom after 4-5 years.

The species Galanthus nivalis does not like dense planting. Optimal distance between flowers from 10 to 15 cm. Of all the species, Snow White galanthus is the most cold-resistant and does not require strong shelter for the winter. The plant reaches a height of 10-15 cm. This is one of the many types of galanthus that have an aroma. Flowers exude a subtle, delicate scent. The buds are drooping and teardrop-shaped. The length of the flower is 2-3 cm, the diameter is up to 2 cm. The petals are saber-shaped, narrow, 1-1.5 cm wide, dark green or gray. Feature species - a green spot on the edge of the tepals. Peak flowering is early April. Snowdrop Snow White has a large number of varieties.

Voronov's snowdrop or Voronov's galanthus (Galanthus woronowii)

Galanthus voronowii Galanthus woronowii

Most often found in the steppes of Asia Minor and on the shady, damp slopes of the Caucasus. Plant height is up to 10 cm. The leaves are wide and grow densely from the bulb. Color ranges from green to bright green. Flowering begins late February - early April. Galanthus Voronova propagates by seeds (self-sowing) and daughter bulbs (vegetative method). The species is listed in the Red Book.

Snowdrop broadleaf or broadleaf galanthus (Galanthus platyphyllus)

Galanthus platyphyllus

It is believed that its origin originates from the meadows and foothill forests of the Caucasus. Of all the types of galanthus, it is less resistant to frost. Peak flowering occurs at the end of April - beginning of May. The height of the arrow with the bud is up to 15 cm. The leaves at the place of germination from the bulb fit tightly, as if covering each other. Leaf 3-4 cm wide, Green colour. The length of the bud reaches 1-2 cm. It takes root well with other garden plants. Listed in the Red Book.

Snowdrop folded or galanthus folded (Galanthus plicatus)

Galanthus plicatus

The homeland for the germination of Galanthus foldata is the forest and steppe massifs of Central and Eastern Europe, the foothills of the Caucasus, and the mountain forests of Crimea. Distinctive feature plants: bluish in color with green longitudinal stripes; wide leaves with a well-defined waxy coating, with folds along the edges of the leaves, curved outward. It is one of the largest species of the Galanthus family. The height of the peduncle reaches 20-30 cm, the length of the flower is up to 4 cm. Peak flowering occurs in the first half of April. The duration of flowering in garden culture is no more than 2-3 weeks; in nature, the duration of flowering reaches 1.5 months. Flowers have a thin pleasant aroma. The species is listed in the Red Book.

Snowdrop Elveza or Galanthus Elwesii (Galanthus elwesii)

Galanthus elwesii Galanthus elwesii

Place of origin: shady forests and foothill meadows of Southern and Eastern Europe. Due to its appearance and good frost resistance, the species is very popular among gardeners. The height of the plant reaches 20–25 cm. This is one of the largest and tallest species of snowdrop. The flowers are very fragrant, the buds are large, spherical in shape, up to 5 cm long. They have two green blotches on the inside of the perianth. The leaves are long and large compared to Snowdrop White. At least 15 varieties of Elveza snowdrop are available for cultivation.

Caucasian snowdrop or Caucasian galanthus (Galanthus caucasicus)

Homeland - meadows and mountain forests of the Caucasus. No more than 20 cm in height. Blooms from February to April. By the time the leaves die, the seeds ripen; there are up to 5-7 pieces in one box. Reproduction by seeds is rare; this species mainly spreads vegetative way. Due to slow reproduction and extreme beautiful view, Caucasian galanthus is on the verge of extinction, as the plant is being actively excavated from its natural habitats. The species is listed in the Red Book.

Greek snowdrop or Greek galanthus (Galanthus graecus)

Leads history from the mountain slopes and lands of Central and Asia Minor. Frost resistance is average. The height of the plant at the peak of flowering is about 10 cm. One of the features is the presence of a green blotch on the inside of the perianth. Greek galanthus blooms in early April, the length of the bud reaches 1.5-2 cm. The shade of the leaves is green, closer to bluish.

Icarian snowdrop or Icarian galanthus (Galanthus ikariae)

Sometimes confused with Galanthus Voronov. Origin leads from the coast of the islands of the Aegean Sea, low mountains and meadows of Central and Asia Minor. Peak flowering occurs in early to mid-April. The height of the arrow with the flower reaches 10 cm; after the flower is dropped, the growth of the leaves continues, the height of the plant reaches 15 cm. The peculiarity is that one leaf at the base covers the other. The leaves have green and bright green shades. The length of the bud is up to 1.5-2.5 cm. It has a characteristically pronounced green spot on inside perianth. The best place for planting is loose soil in semi-shaded areas of the garden.

Rare cultivated species of snowdrop

Kabardian snowdrop or Galanthus cabardensis grows in the meadows and mountain forests of the Caucasus. Peduncles no more than 10-15 cm in height. The leaves are narrow, bright green. Buds are 2-3 cm long. Rarely used in gardening.

Caring for snowdrops

Galanthus nivalis ‘Walrus’

Galanthus flowers are planted at the end of September by separating the daughter bulbs from the adult plant. Daughter bulbs must be planted in the ground immediately, otherwise they may dry out or rot. You can place the bulbs in a bag of wet sawdust for a short period of time, but this method does not imply long-term storage. When growing galanthus in open ground, it is necessary to prepare the soil before planting. The ground is dug up, loosened, drainage is laid, and fertilized with ash or humus. To grow galanthus, they are planted at different depths, depending on the soil. In soft soil they are planted to a depth twice the size of the bulb itself, in denser soil they are buried to the height of one bulb.

Snowdrops are very moisture-loving plants. Additional watering is usually not required. But in the case of a short winter with little snow and a warm, dry spring, additional watering is necessary, without this the galanthus may die.

It is not recommended to replant galanthus, however, when the plant is propagated, separation of daughter bulbs is possible only by replanting. Experienced gardeners It is advised to replant galanthus no more than once every five years.

Before winter, plants can be covered with fallen leaves, a small amount of straw or special covering material. In principle, the plants are frost-resistant and additional protection from the cold it may be unnecessary - galanthus easily tolerates the most severe frosts.

Galanthus flowers can be seen not only in spring, but also at any other time of the year. To do this, they resort to the process of forcing. With the help of forcing, you can artificially create conditions for a plant to flower, so to speak, wake it up. For these purposes, the largest, whole, strong, healthy bulbs are selected, which are put in the refrigerator or other cold place for several months. Do not wrap the bulbs in plastic bags, otherwise they will rot. For storage, it is better to choose a paper bag or mesh and periodically check for mold and rot. It is also advisable to ventilate the bulbs at least once a month. After exposure to the cold, the bulbous snowdrops of primroses are forced directly into the soil of the pot. The main condition is that the soil should not freeze and be wet.

Plant propagation

All types of galanthus can reproduce in two ways: seeds and bulbs.

No special conditions are required for sowing seeds. Immediately after collection, the seeds are sown in the ground.

However, with this method of snowdrop propagation, the time from planting to flowering can take about 4 years.

With bulbous or vegetative propagation The snowdrop uses daughter bulbs that grow from the plant after the flowering season. Propagating galanthus in this way will allow you to observe the flowering of new plants within 2 years.

Diseases and pests

Galanthus can be susceptible to fungal diseases. The appearance of chlorosis and sulfur mold can be caused by increased dampness and humidity in warm weather. Diseased parts of the plant are removed, the rest are treated with a fungicide. The formation of fungus in most cases occurs due to wrong mode watering and soil selection. The solution to the problem may be to replant the plants or revise the watering regime. Galanthus and insect pests attack: caterpillars, slugs, snails, ants, cutworm butterflies, bulbous nematodes. Replanting saves you from pests that spoil the bulbs and roots of the plant. The affected bulb roots are cut off and discarded. Before planting, the bulbs must be soaked for at least 2 hours in a solution of potassium permanganate.

Snowdrop is to the taste of many gardeners due to its unpretentious nature and early flowering. Creating galanthus compositions with others decorative flowers, you can get a beautiful flowering flower bed. At the end of winter, when all nature is still sleeping, you can see beautiful delicate snowdrop flowers. Any gardener will appreciate the splendor of galanthus.

Galanthus nivalis, one of the most widespread early spring bulbous plants. It is easy to grow even in the grass among the lawn under the trees. Most snowdrops bloom early in the year, although there are some that bloom in the fall. With a few exceptions, snowdrops are very winter-hardy bulbous plants, common in nature throughout Europe, Turkey and Iran. In Russia, many rare and protected species of snowdrop grow in the Caucasus.

All snowdrops produce pendulous flowers about 6-30 mm long with six unequal tepals. The longer outer tepals are usually pure white, while the shorter inner ones form a cup in which each of the tepals is marked with characteristic green spots. Normally, plants produce two narrow green leaves, usually 2 cm wide and 15-30 cm long. The leaves are short during flowering, but subsequently enlarge significantly.

Allenit (P. Allen)

This rare, slightly winter-hardy species produces almond-scented flowers in mid-winter. They bear one green spot on each inner tepal. The matte green leaves are relatively wide, up to 2.5 cm wide. Height - 12 cm.

G. "Arnott's Seedling"

This large plant It blooms in mid-winter, its flowers reach 4 cm in length. One of its outer tepals is deformed, twisted and longer than the rest. Each inner leaf has a single green spot. Leaves with a silver stripe in the center. Winter hardiness has not been studied enough. Height - 25 cm.

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G. caucasicus (P. caucasian)

A rare protected species, occasionally found in the Krasnodar region. The flowers are round and bear one green spot on each inner tepal. This variable species in warm climates can bloom in late fall or winter. Forms with autumn flowering are not winter-hardy enough, while spring-flowering ones have proven themselves well in central Russia. The leaves are gray, 2.5 cm wide. Height - 15 cm.

G. elwesii (P. Elweza)

The flowers are very variable - elongated, up to 3 cm long, with two green spots on the inner “petals”. Blooms immediately after the snow melts. A plant with wide (up to 3 cm wide) gray-green leaves up to 30 cm long. It grows best in dry, chalky soil and is difficult to establish in some gardens. It grows wild in the vicinity of Odessa. Height -10-20 cm.

Gracilis (syn. G. graecus) (P. graceful)

Graceful snowdrop with gray-green leaves, 6 mm wide and 5-15 cm long, spirally twisted in some forms. The flowers appear in early spring, with each inner tepal bearing two green spots. The plant prefers dry places. Height -10 cm.

G. ikartae ssp. ikariae (P. icariae)

The flowers are claw-shaped, 2.5 cm long, with one large green spot on each inner tepal. The plants are of Mediterranean origin, so they are not winter hardy enough. In our country, a closely related Caucasian-Turkish species is often grown - G. latifolius (P. broadleaf), which has a higher resistance to cold, but it can also freeze out in unfavorable winters. The leaves are wide, shiny, olive green. It blooms later than other species - in May. Height - up to 15 cm.

Plants of the group have broad green leaves and flowers with a V-shaped spot on each inner tepal.

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G. "Lady Beatrix Stanley"

This snowdrop produces double flowers early in the season. There is no information about winter hardiness in the middle zone. Height - 12 cm.

G. "Magnet"

Large, 3 cm long flowers rise on this powerful plant on exceptionally long peduncles. Needs testing for winter hardiness. Height - 23 cm.

G. "Merlin"

Characteristic flowers have almost completely green inner tepals. Winter hardiness has not been studied enough. Height -20 cm.

G. nivalis (P. snowy, P. snowy)

One of the most reliable winter-hardy species. Each inner tepal with a single green spot. Flowers are 1.5-2.5 cm long. The leaves are bluish-green, up to 1 cm wide and up to 20 cm long. The plant can easily adapt to light-colored lawns. Height - from 7.5 cm to 20 cm.

The plant belongs to a small genus of bulbous representatives from the Amaryllis family. The small genus includes only 20 species of early flowering perennials.

In cold climates, Galanthus is often the first plant to bloom. Its tiny, drooping bell-shaped flowers cover the ground in early spring or in the February thaw with a snow-white carpet. The name of the perennial comes from the Latin "milk flower", Russian name– Snowdrop, and in the English version “Snowdrop” is a snow droplet.

The leaves are narrow, gray-green, linear. The white flowers have 6 petals (actually tepals). Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is most often cultivated in garden design. It blooms in early April and has a pleasant aroma. There are quite a few varieties of this variety, which are highly decorative and differ in the color of the petals.

Galanthus is unpretentious in care. Prefers well drained, neutral or slightly alkaline soils and doesn't require much sunlight– it feels good in partial shade. During the flowering period, the soil should be moist. After flowering ends, the leaves die off and the plant goes into a dormant state, storing nutrients, and in the fall the bulb wakes up and begins to grow roots.

Planting Galanthus

Plant the bulbs at a distance of 3-5 cm from each other and approximately 2 cm deep in heavy soil or 4-6 cm in sandy soil. Plants bloom in groups, so they can be planted to stimulate abundant flowering.

These perennials can be susceptible to fungal diseases, especially gray mold. Good air circulation as well as drainage of the soil will usually prevent these problems.